Near Sharpsburg in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

59th New York Infantry

Photographed By Craig Swain, February 9, 2008

1. 59th New York Infantry Monument

On the flanks of the monument are listed the years 1862 and 1919. The former, the year of the battle. The latter is the year the monument was made.

Inscription. 3d Brig. - 2d Div. - 2d Corps
————
John Lemuel Stetson
of Plattsburgh, N.Y.
Lieutenant Colonel
————
"Men Rally on Your Colors"
Out of 300 men and 21 officers who went into battle
nearby, there fell 224, including Lieut. Col. Stetson and
8 officers - a loss in officers exceeded only twice in the war.
————
In memory of his brother, by Francis Lynde Stetson

Erected 1920.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.

Location. 39° 28.557′ N, 77° 44.796′ W. Marker is near Sharpsburg, Maryland, in Washington County. Marker is at the intersection of Dunker Church Road / Old Hagerstown Pike and Smoketown Road, on the right when traveling north on Dunker Church Road / Old Hagerstown Pike. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sharpsburg MD 21782, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking

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distance of this marker. Jackson's Command (within shouting distance of this marker); Longstreet's Command (within shouting distance of this marker); Maryland State Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Destroy the Rebel Army (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named "Destroy the Rebel Army" (within shouting distance of this marker); Dunker Church - "Symbol of Peace and Brotherhood" (within shouting distance of this marker); Beacon of Peace (within shouting distance of this marker); Twelfth Army Corps (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sharpsburg.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Two 59th New York Related Monuments.

Also see . . .
1. 59th New York Infantry Monument. National Park Service page detailing the monument. (Submitted on March 16, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

2. 59th New York Infantry. Regimental history. (Submitted on March 16, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Close Up of Inscription image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, February 9, 2008

2. Close Up of Inscription

3. Lt. Col. John Lemuel Stetson. (Submitted on October 15, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)

59th New York Infantry Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott

3. 59th New York Infantry Marker

Monument at the intersection of Dunker Church and Smoketown Roads image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, February 9, 2008

4. Monument at the intersection of Dunker Church and Smoketown Roads

Photographed By Brian Scott, September 19, 2015

5. 59th New York Infantry Monument

Lieut. Col. John Lemuel Stetson (1834-1862) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott

6. Lieut. Col. John Lemuel Stetson (1834-1862)

Antietam provided the first significant combat for the 59th and their Lieutenant Colonel, with terrible results - on 17 September Stetson was mortally wounded in action "at the head of his Regiment" in the West Woods.

The 59th New York in the West Woods image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, March 29, 2008

7. The 59th New York in the West Woods

The 59th New York advanced through the West Woods, to a point near here, along a service road, just east of the modern Hagerstown Pike bypass. Due to terrain and changes to unit facings, the 59th was actually the left most unit in an exposed flank. Near this point, Early's Confederate Brigade hit the left side of the 59th, precipitating a disaster for Sedgwick's Federals.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 24, 2017. It was originally submitted on March 16, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,170 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 16, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on October 15, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 4. submitted on March 16, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 5, 6. submitted on October 15, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 7. submitted on April 20, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.